CN117279605A

CN117279605A - Medicine container

Info

Publication number: CN117279605A
Application number: CN202280031688.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 林友纪; 中村雅哉
Original assignee: Fujimori Kogyo Co Ltd; Eli Lilly and Co
Current assignee: Fujimori Kogyo Co Ltd; Eli Lilly and Co
Priority date: 2021-04-30
Filing date: 2022-04-27
Publication date: 2023-12-22
Also published as: JP2024516412A; WO2022232198A1; AU2022266599A1; CA3216326A1; EP4329699A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medicament container comprising at least one side wall and an extension. The extension may be rigid compared to the side wall forming the container volume. The extension may extend substantially into the volume of the container to a central region of the container. The container may include one or more ribs formed in the side wall to provide structural rigidity to the side wall.

Description

Medicine container

Technical Field

The disclosed embodiments relate to drug containers and related methods of use.

Background

The drug container is for containing a therapeutic fluid. Such therapeutic fluids may be administered to the patient by parenteral administration (e.g., subcutaneous injection, intramuscular injection, intravenous injection), by enteral administration (e.g., via gastric feeding tube or duodenal feeding tube), or by any other suitable route of administration. The drug container may be configured to controllably release the therapeutic fluid for delivery into the patient. Medical service providers typically specify prescribed amounts of medication to be administered to patients.

Disclosure of Invention

In some embodiments, a medicament container includes a sidewall, a spout coupled to the sidewall, and an extension coupled to the spout. The sidewall may at least partially define an interior volume of the medicament container. The mouthpiece may be configured for outflow of medicament from the interior volume of the medicament container. The extension may be disposed within the interior volume of the medicament container. The side wall may be more flexible than the extension portion such that the medicament container has a contracted state when empty and an expanded state when full. The sidewall may be configured to move as the medicament flows out of the interior volume of the medicament container through the orifice. The height of the extension measured along the central axis of the mouthpiece may be at least one quarter of the height of the side wall measured along a dimension parallel to the central axis of the mouthpiece when the medicament container is in the expanded state.

In some embodiments, a medicament container includes a sidewall, a mouthpiece coupled to the sidewall, and an extension coupled to the mouthpiece. The sidewall may at least partially define an interior volume of the medicament container. The mouthpiece may be configured for outflow of medicament from the interior volume of the medicament container. The extension may be disposed within the interior volume of the medicament container. The side wall may be more flexible than the extension portion such that the medicament container has a contracted state when empty and an expanded state when full. The sidewall may be configured to move as the medicament flows out of the interior volume of the medicament container through the orifice. The extension portion may include a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is closer to the orifice than the second end. The cross-sectional area of the extension measured perpendicular to the central axis of the orifice may be greater at the first end than at the second end, wherein the central axis may be parallel to the outflow direction through the orifice.

It should be appreciated that the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed below may be arranged in any suitable combination, and that the present disclosure is not limited in this respect. Further advantages and novel features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of various non-limiting embodiments when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

Drawings

The figures are not drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures may be represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a medicament container;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the medicament container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of another embodiment of a medicament container;

FIG. 4 is a perspective front view of yet another embodiment of a medicament container;

FIGS. 5A-5C are a series of cut-away perspective views of the drug container of FIG. 4 taken along lines A-A, B-B and C-C, respectively;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the drug container of FIG. 4 taken along line D-D;

FIG. 6B is a right side view of the drug container of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7A is a top perspective view of yet another embodiment of a medicament container;

FIG. 7B is a front view of an extension of the drug container of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a front view of yet another embodiment of a medicament container;

FIG. 8B is a top perspective view of the mouthpiece and extension section of the drug container of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is a right side view of the mouthpiece and extension section of the drug container of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9A is a top perspective view of yet another embodiment of a medicament container;

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the drug container of FIG. 9A taken along line F-F;

FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of the drug container of FIG. 9A taken along G-G;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of yet another embodiment of a medicament container;

FIG. 11 is a front view of yet another embodiment of a medicament container; and

fig. 12 is a front view of yet another embodiment of a medicament container.

Detailed Description

It should be understood that aspects are described herein with reference to certain illustrative embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The illustrative embodiments described herein are not necessarily intended to show all aspects, but rather are used to describe several illustrative embodiments. Accordingly, the various aspects are not intended to be interpreted narrowly in view of the illustrative embodiments. Furthermore, it should be understood that certain features disclosed herein may be used alone, or in any suitable combination with other features.

The medicament container may be arranged to move from an expanded state in which the container is configured to contain a fluid to a contracted/collapsed state in which at least a portion of the fluid has been withdrawn from the container. In some embodiments, the change between the two states may be achieved by the flexibility of the container sidewall.

For conventional containers having flexible sidewalls, the flexible sidewall (or a portion of the sidewall) sometimes contracts before all of the fluid in the container is completely withdrawn. When the sidewall collapses during withdrawal of fluid from these conventional containers, withdrawal of the remaining volume of fluid from the container can be challenging because the fluid can become trapped between or after the collapsing portions of the container. The waste of the remaining medicament or fluid in the container may result from premature or unwanted shrinkage of the side walls. Accordingly, the inventors have recognized a need for a method that facilitates emptying a flexible wall container and reduces the likelihood of fluid remaining in the container after sidewall shrinkage.

According to one aspect, the medicament container may provide an extension to the interior volume of the medicament container. In some embodiments, the sidewall of the medicament container may at least partially define the interior volume of the medicament container. The extension may help provide structural support to the sidewall of the medicament container to prevent premature collapse. In one embodiment, the extension is a substantially planar body that extends more than one quarter or more than one half into the container. The extension may extend from the orifice through which fluid may flow into and/or out of the container. In some embodiments, both the orifice and the extension may include coaxial channels to direct fluid into and/or out of the container. In some embodiments, the extension may include grooves distributed over the surface of the extension, for example, to direct fluid flow to the channel. In some embodiments, the container may include ribs extending from the sidewall to prevent premature collapse of the container and to direct fluid in a collapsed state to the orifice.

In some embodiments, the drug container may be constructed and arranged to hold a fluid drug or any other fluid in an expanded state. Exemplary fluid medicaments contained in the medicament container may include one or more therapeutic agents, for example insulin, insulin analogs such as insulin lispro or insulin glargine, insulin derivatives, GLP-1 receptor agonists such as delavay or liraglutide, glucagon analogs, glucagon derivatives, gastric Inhibitory Polypeptides (GIP), GIP analogs, GIP derivatives, combined GIP/GLP-1 agonists such as tepa peptide, oxyntomodulin analogs, oxyntomodulin derivatives, therapeutic antibodies. The therapeutic agent may be formulated with one or more excipients. As the present disclosure is not limited in this regard, in some embodiments, the container may contain another suitable fluid or pliable material, such as a baby food or confectionery product. The mouthpiece may be constructed and arranged to be in fluid communication with the volume of the medicament container.

In some embodiments, the medicament container includes a sidewall and a mouthpiece. The side wall may be more flexible than the extension portion such that the medicament container has a contracted state when empty and an expanded state when full.

In some embodiments, the side wall comprises a single flexible sheet folded or otherwise arranged to form a container capable of containing a fluid in an expanded state. In these embodiments, the perimeter of the folded flexible sheet may be joined together using any suitable method, such as heat sealing, welding, or adhesive bonding, as the present disclosure is not so limited.

In some embodiments, the sidewall includes a plurality of flexible membranes that are reconfigurable from an expanded state to a contracted state when fluid is withdrawn from the container through the orifice. In some embodiments, the plurality of flexible films are capable of being reconfigured from the contracted state to the expanded state when fluid is injected into the container, such as through a mouthpiece or through a separate inlet. In these embodiments, the plurality of flexible films (e.g., two flexible films) are joined at the perimeter of the container using any suitable method (e.g., heat sealing, welding, or adhesive bonding), as the disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, the sidewall is suitably coupled to the orifice such that the only outlet for fluid within the container is through the orifice. In other words, the sidewall is attached to the spout to prevent fluid from exiting the container between the sidewall and the spout. Thus, the extension extends into the container beyond the seam at the periphery of the sidewall. In some embodiments, the extension is substantially within the interior volume.

In some embodiments, the mouthpiece includes a channel in fluid communication with the container interior volume. In some embodiments, the channel is a cylindrical opening extending through a portion of the orifice, the channel having a partially or fully enclosed interior sidewall passing through the extension. However, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto, in other embodiments the channel may be any suitable geometry in fluid communication with the interior volume of the container.

In some embodiments, the medicament container further comprises an extension coupled to the mouthpiece. The extension is disposed within the interior volume of the container. In some embodiments, the extension is configured to prevent premature contraction of the sidewall prior to complete emptying of the fluid from the container. In these embodiments, the extensions provide rigid support for opposing faces of the container in a contracted state or under vacuum to physically/physically hold the sidewalls apart. In some embodiments, the physical separation of the sidewalls allows the remaining fluid of the container to flow out during evacuation. In some embodiments, the extension is formed as part of or integral with the orifice during the manufacturing process. In other embodiments, the extension is bonded to the orifice using any suitable process, including heat sealing, welding, adhesive bonding, or mechanical means, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the extension is suitably separated from the sidewall so that there is fluid flow between the sidewall and the extension. In some embodiments, the extension extends into the interior volume of the container beyond the point where the container seals with the spout. In some embodiments, the extension is connected to the sidewall only through the aperture in the expanded state of the container.

In some embodiments, the extension extends substantially into the container. In some embodiments, the extension height measured along the central axis of the channel is greater than one-fourth of the sidewall height measured along the central axis of the channel. In some embodiments, the extension height is greater than half the sidewall height. As the present disclosure is not limited thereto, in some embodiments the extension height is less than or equal to one-fourth of the sidewall height, or any other suitable height.

In some embodiments, the shape of the body of the extension portion may provide one or more benefits. For example, in some embodiments, the extension is shaped to help prevent premature contraction of the sidewall under vacuum while minimizing the volume occupied by the extension inside the container, which may reduce the total volume available for fluid. In some embodiments, the extension may include angled edges and smooth corners. In some embodiments, the smooth corners reduce the likelihood of damaging the sidewalls when the extension is in contact with the sidewalls. However, it should be understood that other benefits provided by the shape of the extension are also possible, and the benefits referred to previously are not required, as such is not limiting in this respect.

In some embodiments, the extension includes a first end at the spout and a second end positioned within the interior volume of the container away from the spout. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the extension portion perpendicular to the central axis of the channel at the first end may be greater than the cross-sectional area of the extension portion perpendicular to the central axis of the channel at the second end. In some embodiments, the extension portion is continuously tapered such that the cross-sectional area of the extension portion continuously decreases along the central axis of the channel. In other embodiments, the extension portion comprises a number/number of portions, wherein the cross-sectional area of each portion varies from portion to portion along the central axis of the channel. For example, in one embodiment, the extension includes a first portion including a first end and a second portion including a second end. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the first portion is constant along the central axis, while the cross-sectional area of the second portion decreases distally away from the orifice along the central axis. It should be appreciated that any suitable gradual change in cross-sectional area of any portion of the extension may be used in other embodiments, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the extension is configured to: allowing the sidewall to conform significantly to/conform to the extension when the container is under vacuum. In some embodiments, the extension includes smooth and beveled/angled edges. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the extension is constant along the central axis of the channel, while in other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the extension varies along the central axis of the channel. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the extension is hexagonal at the first end, with a pair of opposing faces configured parallel to the side walls. The remaining four faces are sufficiently angled to allow the side walls to conform to the extension when the container is under vacuum. In some embodiments, the extension is very flat and parallel to the sidewall. For example, in embodiments where the cross-sectional shape at the first end is hexagonal, the pair of opposing faces parallel to the side wall are the longest sides of the hexagon. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape is elliptical, wherein a minor axis of the ellipse is disposed perpendicular to the sidewall when the container is in the collapsed state. It should be appreciated that the extension may have any suitable cross-sectional shape, including but not limited to polygonal or lenticular shapes, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the extension portion varies from portion to portion of the extension portion. For example, in one embodiment, the extension includes a first portion including a first end and a second portion including a second end. In this example, the cross-sectional shape of the first portion is hexagonal and the cross-sectional shape of the second portion is elliptical. In another example, the cross-sectional shape of the first portion is hexagonal and the cross-sectional shape of the second portion is lenticular, such as a two-ended ellipse (vesica piscis). At the second end, the extension may taper towards the edge. In embodiments where the cross-sectional shapes at the first end and the second end are different, the cross-sectional shape of the extension may be gradually changed from the shape at the first end to the shape at the second end. As the present disclosure is not limited thereto, the variation in the cross-sectional shape of the extension along the central axis may be linear/straight or non-linear, or a combination of both. Although any portion of the extension may include abrupt changes in cross-sectional shape or area, in some embodiments, the change in extension geometry may occur smoothly.

In some embodiments, the extension portion extends into the container along a central axis of the channel. In other embodiments, the extension is a plurality of bodies extending at various angles relative to the central axis of the channel, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the channel divides the extension portion into a plurality of portions. In some cases, this causes more fluid to flow out of the orifice. In some embodiments, the channel of the extension has a larger cross-sectional area perpendicular to the central axis of the channel at the orifice when compared to the channel at the orifice. It should be appreciated that the extension may be any suitable shape or shapes, as the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

In some embodiments, the channel extends directly from the orifice to the second end of the extension. In some embodiments, the channel extends from the orifice and splits into a plurality of channels or channels in the extension. The plurality of channels may be arranged at various angles with respect to the central axis of the channel in the orifice. The distribution of the plurality of channels in the extension portion may fluidly connect trapped fluid at the edge of the extension portion with the orifice so that the fluid can flow more out of the orifice.

In some embodiments, the extension is solid. In other embodiments, the extension includes an internal structure. In these embodiments, the extension may still remain structurally rigid, especially with the container in a contracted state, while reducing the overall footprint of the extension. In some embodiments, the extension includes one or more grooves on a surface of the extension. In some embodiments, the one or more grooves are angled with respect to a central axis of the channel. In any embodiment where the extension includes a groove, the groove may be in fluid communication with the channel at the orifice. In some embodiments, the grooves serve as a plurality of channels for the extension. In some embodiments, the one or more grooves are at any angle between 0 ° -90 °, such as 0 °, 15 °, 30 °, 45 °, 60 °, 75 °, or 90 °, relative to the central axis of the channel, as the disclosure is not so limited.

In some embodiments, the geometry of the trench may prevent the sidewalls from shrinking within the trench. For example, the grooves may be large enough to allow fluid to flow into and out of the channel, but may also be small enough to prevent the sidewalls from digging into the grooves and impeding fluid flow. The grooves may be any suitable shape that enables fluid flow between the container and the channel, including but not limited to polygonal or oval, as the present disclosure is not so limited.

In some embodiments, the drug container includes one or more ribs formed on the sidewall to prevent premature contraction of the sidewall before the fluid in the container is completely emptied. In some embodiments, the ribs protrude inwardly into the interior volume of the container. In other embodiments, the ribs project outwardly away from the interior volume of the container. In some embodiments, a combination of ribs projecting inwardly into the interior volume and ribs projecting outwardly away from the interior volume of the container are provided.

In some embodiments, the ribs are formed on one face of the sidewall, while in other embodiments, the ribs are formed on more than one face of the sidewall.

In some embodiments, the ribs and sidewalls are integrally formed as a single piece, such as by hot embossing or molding, such that the single piece is formed simultaneously as a single piece, although any suitable technique may be used to form the ribs.

In other embodiments, the ribs and sidewalls are formed separately and then attached to each other. In some embodiments, the ribs are attached to the inner surface of the sidewall such that the ribs are inside the interior volume of the container. In some embodiments, the ribs are attached to the outer surface of the sidewall such that the ribs are external to the interior volume of the container.

As described herein, in some embodiments, the ribs protrude outwardly away from the interior volume of the container. In some embodiments, the ribs protrude outwardly from the plane of the side walls when the container is in the collapsed state. In some embodiments, the ribs are solid such that the rib thickness may be greater than the sidewall thickness. In some embodiments, the outwardly projecting ribs have a protruding shape with voids below them so that fluid can flow inside the ribs. For example, the protruding ribs may be hollow or have no filler material in the protruding shape. In one illustrative embodiment, the cross-section of the rib has an arcuate shape with no filler material under the arch such that the outer surface of the rib is convex and the inner surface of the rib is concave. In some embodiments, during evacuation of the container, the sidewall contracts before the outwardly protruding ribs contract. In these embodiments, the ribs facilitate fluid flow through their voids. In some embodiments, the void extends from the distal end of the sidewall to the orifice. In some embodiments, the void is used to increase the internal volume of the container.

As described herein, in some embodiments, the ribs protrude inwardly into the interior volume of the container. In some embodiments, the inwardly protruding ribs are solid such that the rib thickness may be greater than the sidewall thickness. In some embodiments, the inwardly protruding ribs include voids (e.g., are hollow). In some embodiments, during evacuation of the container, the sidewall contracts before the inwardly protruding ribs contract. In these embodiments, the inwardly projecting ribs prevent the sidewall from collapsing to allow fluid to flow between the inwardly projecting ribs from the distal end of the sidewall to the orifice.

In some embodiments, the ribs are stiffer than the container sidewall. The rigidity of the ribs as compared to the container side walls allows the ribs to provide structural support to the side walls during emptying of the container. In some embodiments, the ribs have greater rigidity than the container side walls due to greater thickness. As one example, in some embodiments, the ribs are thicker than the sidewalls in the normal direction of the sidewalls. In some embodiments, the ribs are more rigid than the container side walls due to geometry. For example, the ribs form a corrugated shape on the surface of the sidewall that can collapse under a higher vacuum than the sidewall, and remain more rigid than the sidewall under pressure in the collapsed state. In some embodiments, the ribs are more rigid than the container side walls due to material properties. For example, the ribs are formed of a material that is more rigid than the sidewall material. The ribs may be formed of any material or combination of materials having suitable mechanical properties compatible with the fluid and application of the container. In some embodiments, the ribs have a greater rigidity than the container side walls due to any combination of the above factors.

In some embodiments, the sidewall includes a first or main rib centrally located on the sidewall. The main rib may be elongate such that the longest dimension spans the height of the container as described above. Although the primary rib may be positioned at any angle (e.g., 0 °, 15 °, 30 °, 45 °, 60 °, 75 °, 90 °) between 0-90 ° relative to the central axis of the channel at the orifice, in some embodiments, the longest dimension of the primary rib is aligned with the central axis of the channel at the orifice.

In some embodiments, the container includes a secondary or second rib that extends at any angle (e.g., 0 °, 15 °, 30 °, 45 °, 60 °, 75 °, 90 °) relative to the primary rib. In some embodiments, the secondary ribs are smaller than the primary ribs. In some embodiments, the container includes a plurality of secondary ribs and a primary rib. In one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of short secondary ribs are radially distributed around the primary rib to change the direction of fluid flow along the primary rib and subsequently along the channel. In another exemplary embodiment, the plurality of short sub-ribs are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the plurality of main ribs distributed on the sidewall. Of course, any suitable combination of secondary ribs and primary ribs may be used, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Although any rib may have any suitable shape, including but not limited to polygonal or curved, in some embodiments, the rib may be substantially curved and smooth. The curvature may help prevent fluid from accumulating near the ribs, which may lead to incomplete draining of the container. In some embodiments, the rib has a partially elliptical cross-section taken along a longitudinal axis of the rib. Of course, the ribs may have any suitable cross-sectional geometry to direct fluid flow in the contracted state, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the sidewall includes one or more portions, wherein at least a first portion includes the aperture and a second portion includes a distal-most edge relative to the sidewall of the aperture. In these embodiments, one or more ribs extend between the first portion and the second portion. In some embodiments, the longest dimension of the one or more ribs is greater than one-fourth of the height of the sidewall. In some embodiments, the longest dimension of the one or more ribs is greater than one third of the height of the sidewall. In some embodiments, the longest dimension of the one or more ribs is greater than half the height of the sidewall. In some embodiments, the longest dimension of the one or more ribs is greater than three-quarters of the height of the sidewall. It should be understood that the longest dimension of the one or more ribs may be any suitable dimension, as the present disclosure is not so limited.

In some embodiments, the container includes an extension and one or more ribs. In these embodiments, one or more ribs are distributed on the sidewall offset from the central axis of the channel at the mouth of the hole. In one example, the container has an extension extending along a central axis of the channel and a pair of ribs on either/both sides of the extension. In another example, the container has an extension extending along a central axis of the channel and a pair of ribs positioned perpendicular to the central axis of the channel. Of course, any suitable combination of rib positions or geometries may be combined with any suitable geometry of the extension, as the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

As described herein, in some embodiments, the sidewall is constructed of a material that allows the container to be reconfigured from an expanded state to a contracted state when fluid is withdrawn from the container through the orifice and from the contracted state to the expanded state when fluid is injected into the container through the orifice. In some embodiments, the sidewalls are composed of one or more layers of polymers including, but not limited to, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), polyamide (PA), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC), polycarbonate (PC), ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), or any other suitable polymer, as the disclosure is not so limited.

As described herein, in some embodiments, the spout or extension is constructed of a material that is less flexible than the sidewall such that the spout and extension do not move nor reconfigure into other configurations when fluid is expelled from or inserted into the container through the spout. In some embodiments, the orifice is composed of one or more polymers, including, but not limited to, polypropylene (PP), cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), copolyester (PCTG), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), high Density Polyethylene (HDPE), or any other suitable polymer, to which the present disclosure is not limited. In some embodiments, the orifice is composed of a composite material.

Turning to the drawings, specific non-limiting embodiments are described in further detail. It should be understood that the various systems, components, features, and methods described with respect to these embodiments may be used alone and/or in any desired combination, as the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. For example, although all embodiments described herein relate to a drug container, the container may be configured to hold any suitable fluid, such as a beverage, as the present disclosure is not so limited.

In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 1, drug container 100 includes a sidewall 110 and a mouthpiece 120. The sidewall 110 at least partially defines an interior volume V configured to contain a drug or any other fluid when the drug container is in an expanded state. The orifice 120 is in fluid communication with the interior volume of the medicament container 100.

In the illustrative embodiment of fig. 1, the side wall 110 is made of two flexible sheets that are joined together at the perimeter by a seam 112. In other embodiments, the side wall may be made from a single flexible sheet of material that is folded or otherwise arranged to form a container capable of containing a fluid in an expanded state, or from more than two flexible sheets, or from any other suitable arrangement.

The perimeter of the sidewalls may be joined together at seam 112 using any suitable method, such as heat sealing, welding, or adhesive bonding, as the disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, the sidewall is further connected to the orifice to prevent fluid from exiting the container between the sidewall and the orifice. The sidewall may be attached to the spout using any suitable method, such as heat sealing, welding, or adhesive bonding, as the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

The mouthpiece 120 includes a channel 140 that is in fluid communication with the interior volume of the medicament container 100. In the illustrative embodiment shown in fig. 1, the channel 140 is a cylindrical opening extending through the fully enclosed portion of the sidewall of the orifice.

The medicament container 100 further comprises an extension 130 connected to the mouthpiece 120. The extension 130 is located within the container 100 between the sidewall 110 or sidewalls. As described herein, in some embodiments, the extension 130 is separate from the sidewall 110 such that when the container 100 is in the expanded state, there may be fluid resident and flowing between the sidewall 110 and the extension 130. As shown in fig. 1, the extension 130 extends into the container 100 beyond the seam 112 surrounding the spout 120. In some embodiments, the extension 130 is substantially internal to the interior volume V. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the extension 130 extends to a central region of the volume of the container 100 such that its distal end is centrally located along the width and height of the container 100. In some embodiments, the extension 130 is configured to prevent premature contraction of the sidewall 110 prior to complete emptying of the fluid from the container 100. In these embodiments, the extension 130 provides rigid support for opposing sides of the container 100 in a contracted state or under vacuum to physically keep the sidewalls 110 apart. In some embodiments, the physical separation of the sidewalls 110 during emptying of the container allows the remaining fluid in the container 100 to flow out. As shown in fig. 1, in some embodiments, the extension 130 is formed as part of the orifice 120 during the manufacturing process. In other embodiments, extension 130 is bonded to the orifice using any suitable process, including heat sealing, welding, adhesive bonding, or mechanical means, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the extension 130 extends into the interior volume V of the container 100. In some embodiments, the extension height H1 measured along the central axis AX of the channel 140 (see fig. 2) is at least one quarter of the sidewall height H2 measured along the central axis AX of the channel. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the extension height H1 is about half of the sidewall height H2. In some embodiments, the extension height H1 is greater than half the sidewall height H2. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the extension height H1 is about two-thirds of the sidewall height H2. As the present disclosure is not limited thereto, in some embodiments the extension height H1 is less than or equal to one tenth, one ninth, one eighth, one seventh, one sixth, one fifth, one quarter, two fifths, one third, one half, three fifths, three quarters, or one quarter of the sidewall height H2. In some embodiments, the extension height H1 is at least one tenth, one ninth, one eighth, one seventh, one sixth, one fifth, one fourth, two fifth, one third, one half, three fifths, three quarters, or four fifths of the sidewall height H2, or any other suitable height. In some embodiments, the extension height H1 is approximately equal to the sidewall height H2. Combinations of the above ranges are also possible. For example, in some embodiments, the extension height H1 is between one tenth and one fifth, between one tenth and one half, between one eighth and three quarters, between one fifth and one fifth, between one third and two thirds, or between one half and one fifth of the sidewall height H2. It should be appreciated that the extension height H1 may be any suitable height relative to the sidewall height H2, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the extension 130 includes smooth corners 130C, as shown in fig. 3. These features may help prevent substantial damage to the container sidewall when the sidewall contacts the extension 130.

As shown in fig. 4, the extension 130 includes a first end 130A at the spout 120 and a second end 130B positioned within the interior volume V of the container 100 away from the spout 120. As shown in fig. 5A-5B, a first cross-section (area) 135A of the first portion 132 (see fig. 2) of the extension taken perpendicular to the central axis AX of the channel 140 is greater than a second cross-section (area) 135C of the second portion 133 (see fig. 2) of the extension taken perpendicular to the central axis AX of the channel 140. In some embodiments, the extension portion is continuously tapered such that the cross-sectional area of the extension portion continuously decreases along the central axis of the channel. For example, in the embodiment depicted in fig. 4-5C, the intermediate cross-sectional area 135B (fig. 5B) is located between the first cross-sectional area 135A (fig. 5A) and the second cross-sectional area 135C (fig. 5C) such that the intermediate cross-sectional area 135B is less than the first cross-sectional area 135A and greater than the second cross-sectional area 135C. In other embodiments, the extension includes several portions or regions that are integral, wherein the cross-sectional area of each portion varies from region to region along the central axis AX of the channel 140. For example, in the embodiment shown in fig. 6A, the extension includes a first portion 132 including the first end 130A and a second portion 133 including the second end 130B. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the first portion 132 is constant along the central axis AX, while the cross-sectional area of the second portion 133 decreases distally away from the orifice 120 along the central axis AX. It should be appreciated that any suitable gradual change in cross-sectional area of any portion of extension 130 may be used, as the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

In some embodiments, the channel 140 is formed by a completely enclosed interior sidewall 130E that passes through the extension 130. In these embodiments, the channel 140 is completely closed except for the openings at the inlet and outlet ends of the channel 140. As shown in fig. 5A and 5B, the inner sidewall 130E of the extension 130 completely surrounds the channel 140. The interior sidewall 130E forms a fluid flow path between the interior volume V and the orifice 120 for fluid transport into and out of the interior volume V.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 4-5C, the interior sidewall 130E extends at least from the first end 130A to the second end 130B. It should be appreciated that the interior sidewall 130E may pass through any suitable path of the extension 130 to enable fluid to be delivered from the interior volume V to the orifice 120. In some embodiments, the channel 140 at the first end 130A has similar geometric characteristics (e.g., cross-sectional shape) as the portion of the channel extending through the orifice 120 to reduce the likelihood of significant pressure developing between the extension 130 and the orifice 120 during fluid delivery.

In some embodiments, one end of the channel 140 has an opening 130F, the opening 130F being recessed or recessed into the extension 130, as depicted in fig. 4. The channel 140 of fig. 4 illustratively includes an opening 130F, the opening 130F being V-shaped and retracting into the extension 130 such that the second end 130B diverges into two portions. Due to the fork shape, the interior sidewall 130E is only partially closed at the second end 130B, as shown in fig. 4 and 5C. Opening 130F may extend any suitable distance from distal end 130B toward mouthpiece 120. It should be appreciated that any degree of closure of the channel 140 by the interior sidewall 130E may be used, as the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. The opening of the channel 140 with the recessed opening 130F may allow more fluid to flow from the interior volume V into the channel 140 and toward the orifice 120. It should be appreciated that any shape of the opening 130F of the channel 140 may be used, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Referring to fig. 6A, the extension 130 includes edges 131A, 131B spaced from the channel 140. These edges are located on opposite (two) sides of the central axis AX such that the first edge 131A is located on one side of the central axis AX and the second edge 131B is located on the opposite side of the central axis. Illustratively, a portion of the edges 131A, 131B are angled relative to the central axis AX, and a portion of the edges 131A, 131B are parallel to the central axis AX. Specifically, as shown in fig. 6A, edges 131A, 131B of first portion 132 are parallel to central axis AX, while edges 131A, 131B of second portion 133 are angled relative to central axis AX such that second portion 133 has a tapered width W1. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the second portion 133 varies along the central axis AX due to the tapered width W1 of the second portion 133. In other embodiments, the edges of the extension are parallel to the central axis AX over the entire length of the extension. It should be appreciated that any angle between 0 ° -90 ° (including 0 ° and 90 °) of the edges 131A, 131B relative to the central axis AX may be used, such as 0 °, 15 °, 30 °, 45 °, 60 °, 75 °, or 90 °, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the edges 131A, 131B may be mirrored along the central axis AX (e.g., the extension may be symmetrical about the central axis AX), while in other embodiments, the edges 131A, 131B may be asymmetrical about the central axis AX.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 1-6B, the extension 130 may be centered in the sidewall width W2. In other words, the central axis AX of the container may pass through the length of the extension, illustratively through the center of the extension.

As shown in fig. 1-6B, the extension 130 is centered on the central axis AX. In embodiments where the central axis AX is located at a midpoint of the sidewall width W2, as shown in fig. 6A, the second end 130B may also be located approximately midway along the sidewall width W2 and thus aligned along the axis AX. Thus, in some embodiments, the container 100 including the sidewall 110, the spout 120, and the extension 130 may be mirror symmetrical about the central axis AX. When the extension 130 is located at a midpoint along the sidewall width W2, the edges 131A, 131B are equidistant from the perimeter of the sidewall 110. Although in some embodiments, extension 130 is centered along sidewall width W2, extension 130 may be located anywhere along sidewall width W2 or offset from axis AX, as the disclosure is not limited in this regard.

In fig. 6A, the extension width W1 at the first end 130A is less than the sidewall width W2. Illustratively, the extension width W1 is about one third of the sidewall width W2. In other embodiments, the extension width W1 is about half of the sidewall width W2. In other embodiments, the extension width W1 is at least one fifth, one quarter, one third, two fifths, one half, three fifths, two thirds, or three quarters of the sidewall width W2. In some embodiments, the extension width W1 may be less than one fifth of the sidewall width W2. Combinations of the above ranges are also possible. For example, the extension width W1 may be between one fifth and three quarters, one quarter and two thirds, one third and one half, or one fifth and three fifths of the sidewall width W2. It should be appreciated that the extension width W1 may be any width relative to the sidewall width W2, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In the illustrative embodiment of fig. 6A, the extension width W1 is less than the aperture width W3. In some embodiments, the extension width W1 at the first end 130A is at least two-thirds of the aperture width W3. In some embodiments, the extension width W1 is at least one fifth, one fourth, one third, two fifths, one half, three fifths, two thirds, or three quarters of the aperture width W3. In some embodiments, the extension width W1 is less than three-quarters, two-thirds, three-fifths, one-half, two-fifths, one-third, one-quarter, or one-fifth of the aperture width W3. Combinations of the above ranges are also possible. For example, the extension width W1 may be between one fifth to three quarters, one quarter to two thirds, one third to one half, or one fifth to three fifths of the aperture width W3. In some embodiments, the extension width W1 is approximately equal to the aperture width W3. It should be appreciated that the extension width W1 may be any width relative to the aperture width W3, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In other embodiments, the extension width W1 may be greater than the aperture width W3. For example, the mouth width W3 may be at least one fifth, one quarter, one third, two fifths, one half, three fifths, two thirds, or three quarters of the extension width W1. In some embodiments, the aperture width W3 may be less than one fifth, one fourth, one third, two fifths, one half, three fifths, two thirds, or three quarters of the extension width W1. Combinations of the above ranges are also possible. For example, the mouth width W3 may be between one fifth and three quarters, one quarter and two thirds, one third and one half, or one fifth and three fifths of the extension width W1. It should be appreciated that the mouth width W3 may be any width relative to the extension width W1, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the variation in cross-sectional area of the extension 130 along the central axis AX may be due, in whole or in part, to a decrease in thickness of the extension 130 in a direction T perpendicular to the sidewall 110, as shown in fig. 6B. In the illustrated embodiment, the thickness of the first end 130A is approximately equal to the thickness of the orifice 120, and the thickness of the first portion 132 of the extension 130 is greater than the thickness of the second portion 133. In fig. 6B, the thickness of the first portion 132 is constant along the central axis AX. However, in other embodiments, the thickness of the first portion 132 may decrease along the central axis AX in a direction away from the orifice 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the thickness of the second portion 133 varies along the central axis AX, and in particular illustratively decreases along the central axis AX in a direction away from the orifice 120. It should be appreciated that the thickness profile of the extension 130 may be any suitable shape, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

It should be appreciated that the variation in cross-sectional area of the extension 130 may be due to any combination of tapered width W1 and tapered thickness T, as shown in fig. 6A and 6B.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the extension 130 is configured to: allowing the sidewall 110 to significantly conform to the extension 130 when the container 100 is contracted or under vacuum. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the extension 130 may not vary along the central axis AX of the channel, while in other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the extension 130 may vary along the central axis AX of the channel. In one embodiment depicted in fig. 5A-5C, the cross-sectional shape 135A of the first portion 132 of the extension 130 is hexagonal, with a pair of opposing faces configured parallel to the side wall 110. The first portion 132 may include a pair of faces 130D (only one of which is visible in fig. 5C) that are parallel to the central axis AX. The remaining four faces may be at sufficient angles relative to the parallel face 130D to allow the sidewall 110 to conform to the extension when the container 100 is under vacuum. In some embodiments, the extension 130 may be substantially planar and parallel to the sidewall 110. For example, in an embodiment where the cross-sectional shape 135A of the first portion 132 is hexagonal, the pair of sides 130D parallel to the side walls are the longest sides of the hexagon, as shown in fig. 5A. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape may be elliptical with the minor axis of the ellipse being arranged perpendicular to the sidewall when the container is in the collapsed state. As the present disclosure is not limited thereto, any cross-sectional shape of the extension may have any suitable shape, including but not limited to polygonal or lenticular.

In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the extension portion may vary at different portions of the extension portion 130. For example, in one embodiment depicted in fig. 4-6B, the extension 130 includes a first portion 132 including the first end 130A and a second portion 133 including the second end 130B. In this example, the cross-sectional shape 135A of the first portion 132 is hexagonal, as shown in fig. 5A, while the cross-sectional shape 135C of the second portion 133 is lenticular, e.g., as shown in fig. 5C. In another example, the cross-sectional shape of the first portion 132 is hexagonal and the cross-sectional shape of the second portion 133 is elliptical. As shown in fig. 4, the extension may taper toward the edge of the second end 130B. In embodiments where the cross-sectional shapes of the first end 130A and the second end 130B are different, the cross-sectional shape of the extension 130 may gradually transition from the shape of the first end to the shape of the second end, as shown in fig. 5A-5C. The variation in the cross-sectional shape of the extension 130 along the central axis AX may be linear, non-linear, or a combination of the two, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The extension 130 may include a stepped change and/or gradual change in cross-section.

Fig. 7A and 7B illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a container 200, the container 200 having a spout 220 and an extension 230. As shown in fig. 7A and 7B, the extension 230 extends into the interior volume V of the container 200 along the central axis AX of the channel 240. The channel 240 may divide the extension 230 into a plurality of sections. The extension 230 of the embodiment shown in fig. 7A includes a first half on one side of the central axis AX and a second half on an opposite side of the central axis, each half extending distally from the spout 220 into the container. Illustratively, the channel 240 is not completely enclosed along the height of the extension 230. Instead, the interior sidewall 230E of the extension 230 only partially encloses the channel 240, and the channel 240 opens into the volume of the container along the height of the extension 230 (fig. 7A). In this way, the channel 240 is in fluid communication with the interior volume V at several locations along the height of the extension 230. In some embodiments, the open channel 240 is used to allow more fluid to flow from the interior through the orifice 220. In these embodiments, the channel 240 of the extension 230 may have a larger cross-sectional area (perpendicular to the central axis AX) than the channel through the orifice 220 due to the partial closure of the channel 240. It should be appreciated that the channel 240 may be any suitable shape or shapes, as the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

In the embodiment of fig. 7A and 7B, the extension 230 includes a plurality of grooves 245A, 245B formed along the height of the extension 230. In this embodiment, the extension 230 still provides structural support to the one or more container sidewalls 110 when contracted, while reducing the overall footprint of the extension 230. Grooves 245A, 245B are formed in the surface of the extension 230. In some embodiments, the grooves 245A, 245B are in fluid communication with the channel 240. The grooves 245A, 245B may serve as a plurality of additional channels of the extension 230, each channel opening into the main channel 240. In some embodiments, one or more grooves 245A, 245B may be at any angle between 0 ° -90 ° (including 0 ° and 90 °) with respect to the central axis AX of the channel 240, such as 0 °, 15 °, 30 °, 45 ° (like groove 245A in fig. 7B), 60 °, 75 °, or 90 ° (like groove 245B in fig. 7B), as the disclosure is not so limited.

In some embodiments, the extension height H1 may be less than half the sidewall height. For example, an alternative embodiment of a drug container 300, orifice 320 and extension 330 is shown in fig. 8A-8C, wherein the extension has a reduced height, thereby increasing the available space for containing fluid in the interior volume V of the drug container 300. The reduced height extension provides rigid support for the opposing faces of the container in a collapsed state or under vacuum, as described above for other embodiments of the extension.

The extension height of fig. 8A-8C is less than one quarter of the sidewall height H2. In particular, the extension height H1 in fig. 8A is about one tenth of the sidewall height H2. In other embodiments, the extension height H1 may be less than two-fifths, one-third, one-fourth, one-fifth, one-sixth, one-seventh, one-eighth, one-ninth, or one-tenth of the sidewall height H2. Combinations of the above ranges are also possible. For example, the extension height H1 may be between one tenth and three quarters, one eighth and two thirds, one third and one half, or one fifth and three fifths of the sidewall height H2. It should be appreciated that the extension height H1 may be any width relative to the sidewall height H2, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As shown in fig. 8A, in some embodiments, the extension height H1 may be less than the extension width W1. In some embodiments, the extension height H1 may be at least one tenth, one ninth, one eighth, one seventh, one sixth, one fifth, one fourth, one third, two fifths, one half, three fifths, two thirds, or three quarters of the extension width W1. In some embodiments, the extension height H1 may be less than three-quarters, two-thirds, three-fifths, one-half, two-fifths, one-third, one-fourth, one-fifth, one-sixth, one-seventh, one-eighth, one-ninth, or one-tenth of the extension width W1. Combinations of the above ranges are also possible. For example, the extension height H1 may be between one tenth and three quarters, one eighth and two thirds, one third and one half, or one fifth and three fifths of the extension width W1. It should be appreciated that the extension height H1 may be any width relative to the extension width W1, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In other embodiments, the extension height H1 may be approximately equal to the extension width W1. In other embodiments, the extension height H1 may be greater than the extension width W1, as shown in FIGS. 1-7B. In some embodiments, the extension width W1 may be at least one tenth, one ninth, one eighth, one seventh, one sixth, one fifth, one quarter, one third, two fifths, one half, three fifths, two thirds, or three quarters of the extension height H1. In some embodiments, the extension width W1 may be less than three-quarters, two-thirds, three-fifths, one-half, two-fifths, one-third, one-fourth, one-fifth, one-sixth, one-seventh, one-eighth, one-ninth, or one-tenth of the extension height H1. Combinations of the above ranges are also possible. For example, the extension width W1 may be between one tenth and three quarters, one eighth and two thirds, one third and one half, or one fifth and three fifths of the extension height H1. In some embodiments, the extension width W1 is one third of the extension height H1. It should be appreciated that the extension height H1 may be any width relative to the extension width W1, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Referring to fig. 8A-8C, the extension 330 includes edges 331A, 331B spaced from the channel 340. These edges are located on opposite (two) sides of the central axis AX such that the first edge 331A is located on one side of the central axis AX and the second edge 331B is located on the opposite side of the central axis. In some embodiments, a majority of the edges 331A, 331B may be angled relative to the central axis AX, as shown in fig. 8A. In other embodiments, as previously described, a portion of the edges 331A, 331B may be angled with respect to the central axis AX, and a portion of the edges 331A, 331B may be parallel to the central axis AX or at a different angle with respect to the central axis AX. Any angled portion of the edges 331A, 331B may be angled relative to the central axis AX such that the extension 330 has a tapered width W1. It should be appreciated that any angle between edges 331A, 331B between 0-90 (including 0 and 90) relative to central axis AX may be used, such as 0 °, 15 °, 30 °, 45 °, 60 °, 75 °, or 90 °, as the present disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, the edges 331A, 331B may be mirrored (e.g., the extension may be symmetrical about the central axis AX) about the central axis AX, while in other embodiments, the edges 331A, 331B may not be mirrored (e.g., the extension may be asymmetrical about the central axis AX) about the central axis AX.

As shown in fig. 8B, the extension 330 includes a pair of opposing curved surfaces 336 extending from the orifice 320. In the embodiment depicted in fig. 8B, the curved surface 336 of the extension 330 includes a concave surface at the first end 330A to generally conform to the shape of the orifice 320. Extension 330 includes a generally cylindrical interior sidewall 330E that forms a channel 340.

Extension 330 also includes a pair of opposing flats 337, as shown in fig. 8B and 8C. In some embodiments, the plane 337 may extend from the first end 330A to the second end 330B of the extension 330, while in other embodiments, the plane 337 may extend only partially between the first end 330A and the second end 330B.

In some embodiments, as shown in the side view of fig. 8C, the thickness T of the extension 330 may decrease along the central axis AX in a direction away from the orifice 320. In some embodiments, the thickness of the first end 330A may be approximately equal to the thickness of the orifice 320. In some embodiments, the thickness of the second end 330B may be less than or equal to the thickness of the first end 330A. In some embodiments, the thickness T of a portion of the extension 330 may decrease linearly along the central axis AX and may form a tapered end. For example, in some embodiments, extension 330 may include a plane 337 as described above, wherein plane 337 is angled relative to central axis AX to form a linearly decreasing thickness. For example, plane 337 may be at an angle EA relative to central axis AX, as shown in fig. 8C, which may be any angle between 0-90 ° (including 0 ° and 90 °), such as 0 °, 15 °, 30 °, 45 °, 60 °, 75 °, or 90 °.

In other embodiments, the thickness T of a portion of the extension 330 may decrease non-linearly along the central axis AX. In yet another embodiment, the thickness T of the extension 330 may remain constant throughout the extension 330. For example, the planes 337 may be parallel to the central axis AX and to each other.

In some embodiments, the thickness T of the extension 330 may vary linearly and non-linearly along the central axis AX. In some embodiments, the thickness of the extension 330 may decrease along the central axis AX such that the second end 330B is an edge, as shown in fig. 8C. In these embodiments, the opposing faces of the sidewall 310 may contact each other near the second end 330B during evacuation of the container 300.

In some embodiments, any combination of flat 337 or curved 336 surfaces may include radial, chamfer, or any other smooth corner to prevent damage to sidewall 310 when extension 330 is in contact with sidewall 310.

In some embodiments, the extension 330 may be symmetrical about the central axis AX. In other embodiments, the extension 330 may be asymmetric about the central axis AX. In embodiments where the extension 330 is asymmetric about the central axis AX, there may be two different angles of extension to define the angle between the central axis AX and the opposite face of the extension 330. In these embodiments, it should be understood that any face of the extension 330 may be angled between 0-90 (including 0 and 90), such as 0 °, 15 °, 30 °, 45 °, 60 °, 75 °, or 90 °, relative to the central axis AX, as the present disclosure is not so limited. As shown in fig. 8C, the second end 330B may be smooth for manufacturing or operational purposes.

Referring again to fig. 8A and 8B, the channel 340 may have an opening 330F that is indented or recessed into the extension 330. For example, opening 330F may be an inverted U-shape. As previously described, expansion of the passage 340 with the opening 330F may allow more fluid to flow from the interior volume V to the orifice 120. It should be appreciated that any shape of the opening 330F or the interior sidewall 330E of the channel 340 may be used, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto. It should be appreciated that any degree of closure of the channel 340 by the extension 330 may be used, as the present disclosure is not so limited.

In some embodiments, the drug container includes one or more ribs that reduce the likelihood of premature shrinkage of the container sidewall prior to emptying the container. The ribs may provide rigid support to opposing faces of the container 100 in a contracted state or under vacuum to physically keep the sidewalls apart until the container is emptied. In some embodiments, the physical separation of the sidewall from the rib may allow the remaining fluid of the container to flow out during emptying of the container. In some embodiments, the ribs may be dispersed at different locations around the container. In some embodiments, ribs may be located distally of the orifice to reduce premature shrinkage of the container prior to outflow of residual fluid. In some embodiments, the ribs may be formed to direct the residual fluid flow from a distal location in the interior volume V to the orifice.

For example, in the illustrative embodiment shown in fig. 9A, the drug container 400 includes one or more primary ribs 415A formed on the side wall 410. In some embodiments, the main rib 415A protrudes into the interior volume of the container 400. In other embodiments, the main rib 415A protrudes outward from the container 400. In some embodiments, a combination of primary ribs 415A extending into and out of the container may be used. In some embodiments, the main rib 415A may be formed on one face of the sidewall 410. The main rib 415A may be formed as part of the side wall 410 or integrally with the side wall 410, such as using a thermo-compression molding or molding technique, although any suitable technique may be used to form the main rib 415A.

In some embodiments, the sidewall 410 may include at least a main rib 415A centrally located in the sidewall 410. The main rib 415A may be elongated such that the longest dimension spans the container height as described above and shown in fig. 9A. Although the main rib 415A may be positioned at any angle between 0-90 ° (including 0 ° and 90 °) with respect to the central axis AX of the channel at the orifice 420, such as 0 °, 15 °, 30 °, 45 °, 60 °, 75 °, or 90 °, in some embodiments, the longest dimension of the main rib 415A may be aligned with the central axis AX of the channel at the orifice 420.

In some embodiments, the container 400 may include at least one secondary or second rib 415B positioned at an angle between 0-90 ° relative to the primary rib 415A, such as 0 °, 15 °, 30 °, 45 °, 60 °, 75 °, or 90 ° (as shown in fig. 10). In some embodiments, the secondary ribs 415B are smaller than the primary ribs 415A. In some embodiments, the container 400 may include a plurality of secondary ribs 415B and a plurality of primary ribs 415A. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 10, a plurality of short sub ribs 415B are parallel to each other and perpendicular to a plurality of main ribs 415A distributed on the sidewall 410. Of course, any suitable combination of the secondary ribs 415B and the primary ribs 415A may be used, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the primary ribs 415A or the secondary ribs 415B may extend into or out of the interior volume of the container 400. As described herein, in some embodiments, the primary rib 415A or the secondary rib 415B may be hollow such that ribs protruding from the container 400 may allow fluid to flow past the ribs 415A, 415B.

Although the ribs may have any suitable shape, including but not limited to polygonal or curved, in some embodiments the ribs are substantially curved and smooth. In some embodiments, the primary rib 415A or the secondary rib 415B may have a partially elliptical cross-section along its longitudinal axis (e.g., its longest dimension), as shown in fig. 9B. In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 9C, the ribs may have a semicircular cross section along their transverse dimension. Of course, the ribs 415A, 415B may have any suitable cross-sectional geometry to direct fluid flow in the contracted state, as the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the container 400 may include one or more portions or regions, including at least a first portion 450 that includes the mouthpiece 420 and a second portion 460 that includes a distal-most edge of the sidewall 410 that is distal from the mouthpiece 420. In these embodiments, one or more ribs 415A can extend between the first portion and the second portion. In some embodiments, the longest dimension of one or more ribs H3 may be greater than one-fourth of sidewall height H2. In some embodiments, the longest dimension of the one or more ribs H3 may be greater than one third of the sidewall height H2. In some embodiments, the longest dimension of one or more ribs H3 may be greater than one half of sidewall height H2. In some embodiments, the longest dimension of the one or more ribs H3 may be greater than three-quarters of the sidewall height H2. In any embodiment, the longest dimension of the one or more ribs H3 may be any suitable dimension, as the present disclosure is not so limited.

As shown in fig. 11, in some embodiments, the container 500 may include an extension 530 and one or more main ribs 515A. In these embodiments, one or more main ribs 515A may be positioned on the sidewall 510 offset from the central axis AX of the channel at the orifice 520. In one example, the container 500 has an extension 530 extending in a direction along the central axis AX and a pair of main ribs 515A located on both sides of the extension 530, the main ribs 515A extending in a direction parallel to the central axis AX. In another example, as shown in fig. 12, the container 500 has an extension 530 extending in a direction along the central axis AX and a pair of sub ribs 515B extending in a direction perpendicular to the central axis AX of the passage. In another example, the ribs may be inclined toward the entrance of the channel of the extension 530 to flow fluid to the channel. Of course, any suitable combination of rib positions or geometries may be combined with any suitable geometry of the extension, as the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

The various aspects of the present disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or in a variety of ways not specifically discussed in the embodiments described in the foregoing and is therefore not limited in its application to the details and arrangement of components set forth in the foregoing description or illustrated in the drawings. For example, aspects described in one embodiment may be combined in any manner with aspects described in other embodiments.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with various embodiments and examples, the disclosure is not limited to only such embodiments or examples. On the contrary, the present disclosure includes various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Thus, it is to be further understood that features described herein as part of one or more embodiments may be combined with or removed from other embodiments, as the disclosed invention is not limited to any particular embodiment with any particular features. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

Claims

1. A medicament container, the medicament container comprising:

a sidewall at least partially defining an interior volume of the medicament container;

a mouthpiece for outflow of medicament from an interior volume of the medicament container, the mouthpiece being coupled to the sidewall; and

An extension coupled to the mouthpiece, the extension being disposed within the interior volume of the medicament container, the sidewall having greater flexibility than the extension such that the medicament container has a collapsed condition when empty and an expanded condition when full;

wherein the sidewall is configured to move as the medicament flows out of the interior volume of the medicament container through the orifice; and

wherein the height of the extension measured along the central axis of the mouth is at least one quarter of the height of the side wall measured along a dimension parallel to the central axis of the mouth when the medicament container is in the expanded state.

2. A medicament container according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion extends centrally along the central axis of the mouthpiece.

3. A medicament container according to any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the extension height is at least half the height of the side wall.

4. A medicament container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a channel extending through the extension, the channel being in fluid communication with the interior volume of the medicament container and the orifice.

5. The medicament container of claim 4, wherein the extension portion includes a first end and a second end, the first end being closer to the orifice than the second end, the passageway extending from the second end to the first end.

6. A medicament container according to any of claims 4 to 5, wherein the channel has a completely closed inner side wall.

7. A medicament container according to any of claims 4 to 5, wherein the inner side wall comprises at least one opening between the first and second ends of the extension portion, the inner side wall being in fluid communication with the interior volume of the medicament container through the at least one opening.

8. A medicament container according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the extension portion further comprises a plurality of grooves in fluid communication with the channel.

9. A medicament container according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the side wall comprises a first rib protruding into the interior volume of the medicament container.

10. A medicament container according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the side wall comprises a first rib projecting outwardly from the medicament container.

11. A medicament container according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first rib is parallel to the direction of outflow through the mouthpiece.

12. A medicament container according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a second rib extending in a direction at an angle between 0 and 90 degrees with respect to the direction of extension of the first rib.

13. A medicament container according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the cross section of the first rib taken along the longitudinal axis of the first rib is elliptical.

14. A medicament container, the medicament container comprising:

wherein the sidewall is configured to move as the medicament flows out of the interior volume of the medicament container through the orifice;

wherein the extension includes a first end and a second end, the first end being closer to the orifice than the second end; and is also provided with

Wherein the extension has a larger cross-sectional area at the first end measured perpendicular to a central axis of the nozzle, said central axis being parallel to the direction of outflow through the nozzle, than at the second end.

15. The medicament container of claim 14, wherein the extension height measured along the central axis of the mouthpiece is at least one quarter of the sidewall height measured along a dimension parallel to the central axis of the mouthpiece when the medicament container is in the expanded state.

16. A medicament container according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the extension portion extends centrally along the central axis of the mouthpiece.

17. A medicament container according to any of claims 14 to 16, wherein the cross-sectional area of a portion of the extension portion is continuously decreasing, said portion of the extension portion comprising the second end of the extension portion.

18. A medicament container according to any of claims 14 to 16, wherein the cross-sectional area of a portion of the extension portion is constant, said portion of the extension portion comprising the first end of the extension portion.

19. A medicament container according to any of claims 14 to 18, wherein the extension portion is hexagonal in cross-section perpendicular to the central axis of the mouthpiece at the first end.

20. A medicament container according to any of claims 14 to 18, wherein the extension is lenticular in cross-section perpendicular to the central axis of the mouthpiece adjacent the second end.

21. The medicament container according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the extension portion further comprises a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being disposed on one side of the mouthpiece and the second edge being disposed on an opposite side of the mouthpiece, wherein the first edge and the second edge of a portion of the extension portion are parallel to the central axis of the mouthpiece, the portion of the extension portion comprising the first end of the extension portion.

22. The medicament container according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the extension portion further comprises a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being disposed on one side of the mouthpiece and the second edge being disposed on an opposite side of the mouthpiece, wherein the first edge and the second edge of a portion of the extension portion are at an angle between 0 ° and 90 ° with respect to a central axis of the mouthpiece, the portion of the extension portion comprising the second end of the extension portion.

23. A medicament container according to any of claims 14 to 22, wherein the side wall comprises a first rib protruding into the interior volume of the medicament container.

24. A medicament container according to any of claims 14 to 22, wherein the side wall comprises a first rib projecting outwardly from the medicament container.

25. A medicament container according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the first rib extends parallel to the direction of outflow through the mouthpiece.

26. A medicament container according to claim 23 or 24, further comprising a second rib extending in a direction at an angle of 0 to 90 degrees relative to the direction of extension of the first rib.

27. A medicament container according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the cross section of the first rib taken along the longitudinal axis of the first rib is elliptical.